Date: Thu, 03 Jul 97 18:58:30 EST
From: "NGLTF"
Subject: Montana Strikes Down Sodomy Law
NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Mark F. Johnson, Media Director
mfjohnson@ngltf.org
202/332-6483 x3314
pager 1-800/757-6476
2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
http://www.ngltf.org
..............................................................
MONTANA SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN STATE'S SODOMY LAW
Washington, DC---July 3, 1997-- Gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgendered activists in Montana yesterday celebrated a victory
when the state Supreme Court unanimously struck down the state's
sodomy law by ruling that sexual activity between consenting adults
of the same-gender would no longer be illegal. The victory was
nearly a quarter-century in the making.
In the case of Grayczan v. Montana, six gay and lesbian plaintiffs
charged that the sodomy law violated their right to privacy which is
guaranteed in the state's Constitution. "Quite simply consenting
adults expect that neither the state nor their neighbors will be
cohabitants in their bedrooms," said Justice James Nelson writing
for the court.
Montana gay and lesbian activists worked hard to show that the law
was unfair and denied them their guaranteed right to privacy. It was
among the most severe of all the nation's sodomy laws because it
prohibited same-gender "sexual contact"--not just the customary ban
on anal and oral intercourse. Violators of the law could have faced
up to ten years in prison and a maximum $50,000 in fines.
Five states and the District of Columbia have now decriminalized sodomy.
While four other states have sodomy repeal measures alive, 28 states
continue to have same-gender sodomy laws which make it illegal for
some Americans to love whom they choose to love.
Although the U.S. Supreme Court found no constitutional right to
privacy for same-gender conduct, the 1986 Bowers v. Hardwick decision
permitted each state to decriminalize same-gender sodomy. "Sodomy laws
are the linchpin in every attack against the gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgendered community. They are used to criminalize our behavior
and as the basis for discrimination in employment, housing, health
care and family issues. We applaud the court for its decision but
salute the tireless work of Montana activists that made yesterday's
victory possible," said National Gay and Lesbian Task Force executive
director Kerry Lobel.
For more reaction from Montana gay and lesbian activists to the
state Supreme Court's decision, contact Sandy Hale at Pride! at
(406) 442-9322 or pride123@aol.com.
-30-
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate
prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgendered people at the local, state and national level
since its inception in 1973. As part of a broader social justice
movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a
world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression
and identity where all people may fully participate in society.
=====================================
Date: Mon, 07 Jul 97 18:44:31 EST
From: "NGLTF"
Subject: CORRECTION: Sodomy Law Repeal
NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
PRESS RELEASE - CORRECTION
Contact:
Mark F. Johnson, Media Director
mfjohnson@ngltf.org
202/332-6483 x3314
pager 1-800/757-6476
2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
http://www.ngltf.org
..............................................................
This is a correction of a press release dated July 3, 1997
titled "Montana Supreme Court Strikes down State's Sodomy
Law," which contained an inaccuracy.
In the press release we say that 28 states continue to have
same-gender sodomy laws. The correct number of states with
sodomy laws that criminalize same-gender sodomy is 20. Those
states are as follows:
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Alabama
Mississippi
Louisiana
Arkansas
Missouri
Oklahoma
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Arizona
Utah
Idaho
By our count, currently no state has a sodomy repeal measure
alive. For a graphic representation of the foregoing list,
please visit our website at http://www.ngltf.org.
Mark F. Johnson
Media Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
mfjohnson@ngltf.org
_________________________________________
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